Detroit Lions fans might have some concern about the teams' ability to fix its defensive woes enough to contend this season. It's a valid worry to have with two outings where their secondary gave up big play after big play, and as it remains impossible to scheme for their current personnel (or so it seems).
However, all hope isn't lost so early in the year. They can still very likely acquire a starting cornerback, either on the trade market or in free agency, but they have to nail that acquisition to prevent just adding depth. They need a starter.
Still, while they wait to workout cornerbacks and poke around the market, the rest of the NFC North is struggling to kick off the year, too. It's keeping things quite even as Detroit does some soul-searching ahead of Week 3 against the New York Jets.
State of the NFC North is shaky headed into Week 3
Following Week 2, the only undefeated team in the division is the Minnesota Vikings. They took down the Green Bay Packers (1-1) in Week 1, and then Chicago Bears (1-1) in Week 2. Minnesota, though, only scored 9 points against the Bears, resting on their defense - and a key injury to quarterback Caleb Williams - to get the win.
Williams' injury could impact this divisional race a ton. Without a competent starter in Chicago, they could struggle mightily with one of the hardest schedules in the NFL. Detroit, on the flip side, has the easiest schedule and a likelier easier path to figuring out their growing pains.
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Minnesota is still waiting to get a full game out of Kyler Murray, but they could be dangerous with their elite defense and a competent starter in the pocket to unlock their weapons on offense. The Packers also just barely beat the Jets in Week 2, and dealt with several unnecessary penalties and fumbles that kept the game closer than necessary.
Lions fans shouldn't worry at this point in the year about the teams' struggles through the first two weeks of action with the rest of the division (aside from the Vikings) being in such flux. However, this should also be motivating for them in terms of making a move to strengthen the secondary. Getting serious about roster construction sooner rather than later can help the Lions remain competitive with Minnesota, especially defensively.
Through two weeks, one thing is very clear about the NFC North: it's still completely up for grabs.
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